Matt Stephens will step up from youth league women’s coach to Wyndham’s Big V women’s championship coach next season.
Stephens had been re-appointed as coach of the youth league side, but when the opportunity came to apply for the championship role it was something he was keen to do.
Wyndham announced that he had been successful and would take on the role and help the next group of players come through.
Stephens said it was a massive honour to take on the role.
“I’m giving up the youth league role and take on champ this season which is exciting,” he said.
“The previous coach stood down and the opportunity presented itself and I decided to go for it.
“It was a win-win [having already had the youth league role]. It’s exciting and champ women will be good.”
Stephens said having been around the association a little while he knows what it takes to lead the female program at the association.
He said the youth league and championship sides would work closely together with the association having a big focus on local talent.
“Our youth league side is quite young and our champ women are young as well,” he said. “We’re going to maintain that pathways for the younger playing group.
“The synergy between the two teams will be key.”
Wyndham’s championship side finished with just two wins in 2025. Stephens said despite finishing bottom they were set to stay up in the top flight.
Stephens said they will remain in the top flight next season.
He said while 12 months under their belts would help, he said it could be another season in 2026 with some challenges as they continue to look to the future.
Open runs for both women’s sides started last week.
“We’ve started laying the foundations for the 2026 season with open runs with the youth women and senior players, and we know we’ll need to build steadily towards competing in 2026,” Stephens said. “We are excited to face that challenge while continuing to give Wyndham pathway players the chance to represent Wyndham in Big V and make an impact.”
Wyndham representative chairperson Leigh Bellingham said Stephens was an integral part of the 2025 Big V season and it’s always a success when they can promote within the association.
Wyndham will now commence the search for a youth league women’s coach to replace Stephens.
Meanwhile, Brian Rolph has been appointed the club’s youth league men’s side.
Rolph joins Wyndham for the first time, with the association saying he brings a strong coaching and playing background along with experience across the Big V landscape,
